Archives for August 2014

Alicia Baker

Alicia Baker has been a passionate musician since early childhood. She began studying the piano at age 4, the accordion at age 6 and vocally at age 14. Alicia recently graduated from Oregon State University, and now holds a bachelor of arts degree in Music Education, Piano Performance, and Vocal Performance.Alicia has found her most tangible success with the accordion. Most recently, she was awarded 3rd place at the Coupe Mondiale accordion World championships in the digital division, taking place in Victoria, BC this past August. Alicia has also won several other International competitions, including the Happy Hans Open and the Leavenworth Open. In 2009, she won the privilege of representing the USA at the Roland International V-Accordion Competition in Rome. This turned out to be the beginning of her current relationship with Roland; one that continues to provide opportunities to share her love for the instrument. Aside from competitive events, Alicia has performed solo accordion concerts at many notable festivals. These include the American Accordion Association Convention, Cotati Accordion Festival, the Accordionists and Teachers Guild International Festival, KIOTAC, Leavenworth Old-Time Accordion Festival, and the NAMM show. In 2011, she was privileged to join the Corvallis symphony as the soloist for Nikolai Chaikin’s Accordion Concerto in B-flat Major.

Vocally, Alicia thrived as an opera student all throughout college, as she discovered a new passion. Her college operatic performance experience included the role of “Queen of the Night” in OSU’s production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute in April 2012, as well asmultiple roles in various scenes throughout four terms of Opera Workshop at OSU. Alicia performed two solo vocal recitals in fulfillment of her vocal performance degree. Competitively, Alicia was the vocal scholarship recipient of the Brookings Friends of Music Annual Scholarship Competition, in addition to winning the NATS competition for classical voice in 2012 and 2013. More recently, Alicia was selected as a finalist in Classical Singer’s National Vocal Competition.On the piano, Alicia performed two solo piano recitals in fulfillment of her piano performance degree, and accompanied many musicians and singing groups to fund her college education. She loves the art of collaborative piano, and will always enjoy working as an accompanist.

In addition to her three instruments, Alicia also discovered a passion for musical composition. She has composed many solo accordion pieces, a few piano solo pieces, and two works for choir. Alicia won the KRAFT composition competition held at OSU in 2011, and was honored to have her composition “The Unseen”, written for choir, cello, and piano, performed by the OSU Chamber Choir. She plans to continue composing, and hopes to become a published composer someday.

As a recent college graduate, Alicia can now begin fulfilling her dreams, which include promoting and sharing her love of accordion to younger generations, as well as performing on all of her instruments. She currently works for Roland Corporation, where she enjoys sharing her love and knowledge of music with others.

William D. “Bill” Ferrari (August 25, 1934 – August 5, 2014)

WILLIAM D. “BILL” FERRARI passed away on August 5, 2014, in Santa Rosa. Devoted husband of the late Irene Ferrari. Cherished father of Julie Ferrari (Tim Morgan) and Jenny Tuomi (Rocky). Beloved grandfather of Darrel Brazil, Rebecca Calleja, Laura Calleja, and Hannah Leasure. Adored step-grandfather of Justin, Joe and Jared Adiego; Michael and Brian Azevedo. Loving brother of the late George Ferrari. Dear half-brother of Robert Pasquinelli. Survived by the mother of his children, Donna Mae Ferrari.

Age: 79 years.

A member of the Petaluma Area Pilots Assoc., Bay Cities Racing Assoc., SF Accordion Club, SF Sheriff’s Posse, Native Sons of the Golden West, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, and owner of the Two-Bit Ranch.

Friends and family were invited to attend the Funeral Service, Sunday, August 10, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, 850 Keokuk St., Petaluma, CA. A reception will follow the service. Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity. Private Inurnment.

Richard “Dick” Velloza (1925 – 2014)

Born on July 21, 1925 and died on August 1, 2014 after a brief battle with cancer. Richard (Dick) attended one room school houses on the Pt. Reyes Peninsula and at Inverness where he lived as a boy and young man, spending his high school years at Tomales High. He met his future wife, May Bordessa while attending high school. He enlisted in the Navy and spent time on Okinawa during World War II. After returning home from the Navy, he married May and they settled in Pt. Reyes Station, raising two boys and having 65 wonderful years together. His working career took him from the phone co. to Flying A gas distributorship and ultimately North Marin Water District from which he retired. He enjoyed out of state hunting trips with family and friends, camping, barbequing, gardening and woodworking. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Nicasio Parlor #183 NSGW. Most of all he enjoyed his family, especially spending time with his grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Lenore and grandson, Jake. He is survived by his wife, May; sons, Mike (Lynn) and Bob (Susie) and two grandchildren, Spencer and Mikaela. Cherished uncle of Gary (Sandy) Bordessa and David (Kelly) Bordessa. Family and friends were invited to attend the Funeral Mass, Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 10;00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Olema, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be made to the Jake Velloza Scholarship Fund, c/o Tomales High School Boosters Club or to your favorite charity.